From: Maureen Cully, Director of Marketing, Catholic Foundation of North Georgia
As a result of the ongoing economic repercussions of the pandemic, people in communities throughout the archdiocese continue to face unprecedented challenges and hardship. Currently, thousands in our state are food insecure and others are losing their homes or utilities. In order to help relieve some of the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia has created the Catholic Emergency Relief Fund.
This fund is designed to meet the urgent needs of individuals facing food and housing insecurity in communities most impacted by the virus–many of which are not served or are underserved through traditional channels.
The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia will seed the fund with $100,000.
The role of the Foundation is to connect generous donors with organizations that serve those in need within our community. With your gifts, the Catholic Foundation will provide grants to organizations that provide food and emergency financial assistance for housing and utilities in counties throughout our archdiocese. Your support is crucial in keeping the emergency grants flowing–particularly during the winter months–to our communities that are sometimes underserved and difficult to reach.
The Catholic Foundation is taking on all administrative work associated with the granting process, allowing organizations to focus on their important ministries.
A special grants committee, composed of members of the Catholic Foundation’s Grants Committee and Pastors Advisory Council, will determine the organizations throughout the archdiocese which will receive grants. Priority will be given to organizations:
- whose mission is to provide food and emergency financial assistance for housing and utilities, including Catholic organizations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities
- located in areas with Catholic parishes where there are fewer resources and great need
“Through this fund, we can come together as a Catholic community to help those who are suffering during this pandemic and economic crisis know that we care,” said Nancy Coveny, Catholic Foundation President. “As a Catholic community, we can make an impact and shine Christ’s light to the corners of our archdiocese.”
“The Catholic Foundation will be sure that the funding goes to the organizations best at serving people in our communities experiencing a financial crisis.” She added, “With so many people in need right now, it is more important than ever that those of us who can, give. Please join with us now and make a gift to the Catholic emergency response fund.”
If you can help, there are three ways you can make a gift:
- Online via credit card at cfnga.org/give.
- By mail via check to the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia, 5871 Glenridge Drive, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30328. Please note in the memo that it is for the emergency fund.
- Through gifts of appreciated stock by contacting Juliet Greco at jgreco@cfnga.org.
Even if you do not itemize your taxes, because of the new stimulus package passed by Congress, all donations up to $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples to the Catholic Emergency Response Fund are tax-deductible.
If you have any questions, please contact Catholic Foundation President Nancy Coveny at ncoveny@cfnga.org.